Systems and methods for assisting in game play and wagering

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for assisting game play and wagering are provided. A game assistant system may provide a user with advice on game play or wagering for casino games such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, slots, or baccarat. The game assistant may also provide a user with advice on wagering events (e.g., horse racing, etc.) or on other games (e.g., backgammon, chess, etc.). The information provided by the game and wagering assistant during game play or a wagering event may allow a user to minimize losses or the statistical advantage of a casino or game provider. The game and wagering assistant system may also allow a user to allocate a particular amount of money for wagering on games or events, and allow the user to control the rate at which the money is expended.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/287,332 filed Nov. 1, 2002 which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional application No. 60/339,914 filed Dec. 12, 2001, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for assisting ingame play and wagering. More particularly, the present invention relatesto systems and methods for providing players of casino games or othergames, as well as individuals participating in wagering events, withplaying advice, probabilities information, statistical analysis, andwagering information to optimize game play and wagering decision making.

Blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, slots, baccarat and other such gamesare generally known as casino games since such games have been played atcasinos. More recently, such casino games, as well as traditional games(e.g., chess, backgammon, etc.) and wagering events have been played oncomputers with game or wagering event software, on the Internet, or byusing dedicated electronic machines.

Casino games involve decision-making regarding game play and wageringamounts. Such decisions affect a player's odds of winning or losing, aswell as the wager amount gained or lost. Depending on the game played,as well as the table rules, the casino or game provider typically has apredetermined advantage over a player. During the course of playing acasino game, a player may have difficulty making decisions that minimizethe advantage of the casino or game provider, minimize losses, ormaximize gains.

Typically, a player competes in multiple rounds of a casino game. Thus,the player needs to make decisions regarding play and wagering over aseries of rounds of a particular game to minimize the player's potentiallosses.

Similarly to casino games, traditional games such as chess andbackgammon involve decision making and strategy. Wagering can occurbetween players of such games. In addition, wagering events such ashorse racing typically involve use of information and statistics forwagering purposes.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods forproviding advice or information in playing or wagering decisions forelectronic, on-line, or table casino games, traditional games, andwagering events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for providingadvice, statistical information, and wagering advice related to casinogame play, traditional game play, and wagering events.

A computing device, software, or any suitable combination thereof mayprovide a game and wagering assistant system that provides advice duringthe play of a casino game, traditional game, or wagering event. Forexample, the system may provide advice for casino games such asblackjack, poker, roulette, slots, craps, baccarat or any other suitablegame. The system may also provide advice for traditional games such aschess or backgammon, as well as for wagering events such as horseracing.

The user may elect to receive advice from the game and wageringassistant system for a particular game or wagering event, and the usermay enter information regarding the state of the game or event. Forexample, the user may enter the card values that have been dealt orplayed during the course of a card game. Inputting card values may beperformed by using a keyboard, touch screen, microphone, or any othersuitable input system. In a wagering event such as horse racing, forexample, a user may receive information from a server to a user's gameand wagering assistant on horses, tracks, track conditions, odds, or anyother suitable information for upcoming or past races. Alternatively, auser may input such information with a keyboard, touch screen,microphone, or any other suitable input system.

Casino games, traditional games, or wagering events implemented oncomputers, electronic game devices or systems, or on-line game systemsmay communicate with a user's game and wagering assistant system toautomatically update and track game play and wagering. The user mayquery the game and wagering assistant system for game play advice suchas which card to play, whether to take another card, or any othersuitable advice. For example, the game and wagering assistant system mayvibrate, give an audible indicator (e.g., beep, synthesized voiceinstruction, etc.), or display a command on a screen to take a card in ablackjack game. The game and wagering assistant may also provide updatedgame play or wagering advice based on the updated information.

In some embodiments, the game and wagering assistant system may provideprobability information, statistics, or mathematical progressionwagering analysis for a particular game or wagering event. For example,this information may be used to determine game play and wagers duringthe course of a series of rounds of a particular casino game in order tominimize the casino advantage, minimize player losses, or maximize“comps” (complimentary goods or services given by the casino to aplayer). The user may access this information on a screen of the gameand wagering assistant system. Alternatively, the information may beprovided to the user in an audible format (e.g., synthesized voiceinstructions to a user from a speaker, a set of headphones, or anearphone). Any other suitable system or device may be used to access theinformation and/or communicate the information to the user.

In some embodiments, probability information, statistics, andmathematical progression wagering information may be used to control therate at which a player loses money (i.e., a “burn rate”). For example, auser may allocate a particular amount of money for wagering on casinogames (e.g., allocate $500 to spend on casino game play). Theprobability and mathematical progression information may be used tocontrol the rate at which money is lost.

The game and wagering assistant system may be adapted for providinginformation for electronic game devices or systems, games implemented oncomputers, on-line games or wagering events, or for providinginformation during table games or at wagering events. In someembodiments of the invention, an assistant may provide information in aseparate window from the on-line or computer game or wagering event onthe user's computing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill become more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative computer network gaming and wagering systemcapable of providing game play assistance and wagering advice inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative menu display for game and wagering assistantsystem in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative interactive blackjack display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative mathematical progression comparison displayfor a game and wagering assistant system in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative statistical summary display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative interactive roulette display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative roulette performance statistics display for agame and wagering assistant system in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative interactive poker display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative interactive craps display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative interactive slots display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative interactive baccarat display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative interactive chess display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative interactive backgammon display for a game andwagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 14 is an illustrative interactive horse racing display for a gameand wagering assistant system in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is now described in more detail in conjunctionwith FIGS. 1-14.

FIG. 1 represents an illustrative game and wagering system in accordancewith various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, system 100may include one or more user computing devices 110 that may be connectedby one or more communication links 112 and a computer network 114 to aserver 116.

In system 100, user computing device 110 may be a computer, processor,personal computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, personal digitalassistant, computer terminal, a combination of such devices, or anyother suitable device. User computing device 110 may have any suitabledevice capable of receiving user input. For example, user computingdevice 110 may have a keyboard, buttons, a touch screen, or may be voiceactivated. User computing device 110 may be voice activated by having amicrophone to receive input from a user or game administrator, and maybe adapted with voice recognition software or hardware which may enableuser computing device 110 to perform tasks based on voice input. Usercomputing device 110 may also have a communications interface to send orreceive data from computer network 114 over communication link 112.

User computing device 110 may be hardware, software or any suitablecombination thereof which may provide game play tracking, as well asgame and wagering advice to a user. In some embodiments, user computingdevice may run game and wagering assistant software. Game and wageringassistant system functions may also be partitioned between usercomputing device 110 and server 116, and partitioned functions maycommunicate information with one another as needed. User computingdevice may have a screen to display game information and playing adviceto the user. Alternatively, user computing device 110 may have aspeaker, or may be connected to a set of headphones or an earphone toprovide audible advice (e.g., synthesized speech) on game play orwagering to a user.

As shown in system 100 of FIG. 1, user computing device 110 may be usedto play electronic or on-line games, or participate in wagering events,on computer network 114. In some embodiments, user computing device 110may be used separately from computer network 114 or server 116 and mayprovide advice for playing games or participating in wagering events.For example, user computing device 110 may be used to provide advicewhen a user is at a gambling table in a casino. In some otherembodiments, user computing device 110 may provide information forwagering on a horse race.

Communications links 112 may optical links, wire links, wireless links,coaxial cable links, telephone line links, satellite links, lightwavelinks, microwave links, electromagnetic radiation links, or any othersuitable communication links for communicating data between usercomputing device 110 and server 116.

Computer network 114 may be the Internet, an intranet, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a wireless network, an opticalnetwork, a cable network, a digital subscriber line network (DSL), orany other suitable network.

Server 116 may be a processor, a computer, a data processing device, orany other suitable device. In some embodiments, server 116 may behardware, software, or any suitable combination thereof which maycommunicate with user computing device 110 to provide games or wageringevents, provide information related to the games or wagering events,process gaming or wagering data, provide game rules or strategies,perform statistical analysis on game play or wagering, store game playstatistics, or perform any other suitable function.

In some embodiments, electronic game play, wagering events, or relatedinformation processing may occur via computer network 114, server 116,user computing devices 110, and communications links 112. Players atuser computing devices 110 may conduct electronic gaming or wagering, orobtain game play or wagering advice using suitable input devicesconnected to or part of user computing device 110. In some embodiments,games or wagering events running on server 116 may provide game updateinformation via computer network 114 and communications links 112 touser computing devices 110. For example, information on cards playedduring a blackjack game running on server 116 may be sent to usercomputing devices 110 and automatically tracked and counted by the gameand wagering assistant running on the user computing device 110. Inanother example, horse race information (e.g., horses, odds, past racestatistics, etc.) may be provided by server 116 to user computing device110.

FIG. 2 illustrates main menu display 200 for a game and wageringassistant system. As shown, display menu 200 may include selectablecasino games buttons area 210. Area 210 may include: blackjack button220, roulette button 230, poker button 240, craps button 250, slotsbutton 260, baccarat button 270, or any other suitable game button.Alternatively, in a voice-activated system with a microphone, a user mayselect blackjack, craps, slots, baccarat, or any other suitable gamewith a voice command.

Selection by a user of any of the buttons in area 210 may present adisplay corresponding to the selected game. For example, if blackjackbutton 220 is selected, display 300 of FIG. 3 may be presented.Similarly, selecting roulette button 230 may present display 600 (FIG.6), selecting poker button 240 may present display 800 (FIG. 8),selecting craps button 250 may present display 900 (FIG. 9), selectingslots button 260 may present display 1000 (FIG. 10), and selectingbaccarat button 270 may present display 1100 of FIG. 11.

Display menu 200 may also include selectable other games area 280 andwagering events area 290. Other games area 280 may include selectablechess button 282, backgammon button 284, or any other suitable button.Wagering events area 290 may include horse racing button 292 or anyother suitable button related to wagering events.

Similar to the selection of buttons in area 210 discussed above,selection of buttons in other games area 280 and wagering events area290 may present a display corresponding to the selected game or event.For example, if chess button 282 is selected, display 1200 of FIG. 12may be presented. Similarly, selecting backgammon button 284 may presentdisplay 1300 of FIG. 13, and selecting horse racing button 292 maypresent display 1400 of FIG. 14.

Alternatively, if the game and wagering assistant is adapted to receiveand process voice commands, a user may utilize a voice command to selectcasino games, other game, or event wagering features for a particulargame or wagering event. The game and wagering assistant may usesynthesized speech projected though a speaker, a set of headphones, oran earphone to provide choices, advice, or game play information to auser. For example, a user may say “blackjack” into a microphone or othersuitable device connected to the game and wagering assistant in order toreceive blackjack game assistance, or begin logging information relatedto blackjack game play and wagering.

Turning to FIG. 3, interactive blackjack display 300 of a game andwagering assistant system may provide a user with game assistance andinformation related to blackjack. In addition to the selectable buttonsor features of display 300 described below, voice commands may be usedto select features of the game and wagering assistant for blackjack.

Display 300 may include menu bar 302. In some embodiments, menu bar 302may be divided into games, options, or any other suitable categories.Menu bar 302 may include selectable game menu items such as blackjackbutton 304, roulette button 306, poker button 308, craps button 310,slots button 312, baccarat button 314 or any other suitable buttons toaccess advice or assistance for suitable casino games. Similar tobuttons 220-270, 282-284, and 292 of display 200 discussed above,buttons 304-314 may be selected to change the display to show advice,statistics, game play information or other suitable information forother casino games.

Menu bar 302 may also have options buttons, which may include game rulesbutton 316, basic strategy button 318, maximizing “comps” button 320,play-by-play advice button 322, compare mathematical wageringprogressions 324, or any other suitable button. Selection of buttons316-324 may present displays with information which relate tointeractive blackjack display 300.

A user may, for example, select game rules button 316 in order to viewbasic rules of blackjack in a separate window or display. Similarly,selection of basic strategy button 318 may provide a user with a displayof strategy options for blackjack. Selection of maximizing comps button320 may provide a user with strategies for obtaining “comps” (i.e.,complimentary goods or services from a casino, such as food, hotelaccommodations, etc.). Button 322 may be selected by a user to obtainplay-by-play advice for a blackjack game.

In some embodiments, selecting button 324 may provide a user withcomparisons of different mathematical progressions (e.g., d'Alembert,Fibonacci, etc.) which may be used to optimize wins and losses. Forexample, display 400 (illustrated in FIG. 4) showing comparisons ofwagering using different mathematical progressions may be presented whena user selects button 322. Display 400 may provide wagering and payoffscenarios using a variety of mathematical progression models.Mathematical progression information may be used in order to minimizelosses over a particular wagering round of a game or wagering event, aparticular game or wagering event, a series of rounds of a game orwagering event, or over many kinds of games or wagering events. In someembodiments, mathematical progression information may also be used toaid a user in controlling the rate at which money is expended onwagering during game play of a particular game or for a series of games.Such mathematical progression wagering advice and analysis may indicateodds and potential gains for such strategies as doubling a wager after awin, or reducing a wager after a loss, or other wagering strategies.

Mathematical progressions for wagering may be used to formulate wagers.Using the D'Alembert system for wagering in games, for example, oneincreases a wager by one unit after a loss, and decrease the wager byone unit after a win. A unit may be $1, $5, $20, or any other suitablemonetary value. For example, a player wagers one unit in a game andsubsequently loses. The player is at −1 units. Following the D'Alembertprogression by increasing the number of units after a loss, the playerwould increase the wager by 2 units for the following round or gameplayed. If the player wins, the player is now +1 units. Again, followingthe D'Alembert progression by reducing the number of units after a win,the player would bet 1 unit. If the player then loses, the player is at+0 units. If the player uses the D'Alembert progression again, wagerstwo units, and subsequently loses, the player is now at −2 units. UsingD'Alembert again that indicates to increase the number of units after aloss, the player increases the wager to 3 units. Play, will continue tooccur until a stop-win or a stop-loss point, or any other suitable pointdetermined by the player.

There is no specific determined stop-win point with the D'Alembertsystem of play, other than one which is predefined by the user. In someembodiments, a user may indicate (e.g., using a verbal command into amicrophone, using a touch screen, using a keyboard, etc.) a stop-winamount in the game and wagering assistant device. For example, if oneunit of profit is indicated as the stop-win amount, then the playerwould have reached the stop-win point after the first round (+1 unit) inthe example above). Upon reaching a stop-win point, a user may quit agame or begin a new sequence. Under D'Alembert, the higher the stop-winnumber, the longer the sequence may be. A series of losses in sequenceusing D'Alembert may cause a player to lose money quickly. In someembodiments, a user may indicate a stop-loss point for a sequence ofplay to help control losses or control the rate at which money is lost(i.e., control the “burn rate” of a predetermined amount of money forwagering purposes).

FIG. 4 illustrates display screen 400 which contains diagrams indicatingthe probabilities of events under various progressions. For example, theD'Alembert progression diagram 410 of display screen 400 illustratesprobability information for a Roulette wheel (double zero version with38 pockets). Players may bet on numbers 1-36, where half the numbers arered, and the other half are black. For example, if one wagers on red orblack, there are 18 ways (one-half of 36, since half are red and halfare black) out of 38 ways (numbers 1-36, plus zero and double zero) towin the wager. Therefore, 18 ways divided by 38 total ways equals0.4737, or 47.37%. There are 20 ways out of 38 to lose the first wager.The chances of losing the first wager (20/38) times winning the secondwager (18/38) are 24.93%.

In some embodiments, the game and wagering assistant system maycalculate the probability of winning a particular series of wagers.Continuing with the example above involving roulette, the probability ofa win is 18/38 and the probability of losing a wager is 20/38 for eachspin. If a player loses the first three wagers, and wins the next twowagers, the probability of winning the next wager would be(20/38)3×(18/38)2, which would equal 3.27% (probability of totalsequence occurring).

Turning again to FIG. 3, display 300 may have toolbar 330, which mayinclude new game button 332, reset button 334, save button 336, or anyother suitable buttons. A user may select button 332 in order toinitialize display 300 for a new blackjack game but retain summaryinformation of previous games. However, if a user selects button 334,all of the information presented on display 300 may be reset. If a userwould like to save the game play data for a game or a series ofblackjack games, the user may select button 336. The game play data maybe saved, for example, on user computing device 110 or server 116 (bothillustrated in system 100 of FIG. 1).

Window 340 of display 300 may present blackjack strategy for a user.Alternatively, the game and wagering assistant may provide audibleadvice (e.g., synthesized voice) over a speaker, headphones, or earphoneto a user. Table 342 of window 340 may include playing advice fordifferent card combinations. For example, table 342 may advise to hit,stand, double down, pair split, surrender (quit), do X if allowed orotherwise do Y, or any other suitable advice. In some embodiments,individual items of advice in table 342 may be selected in order toobtain additional information regarding the advice (e.g., definition ofterm, rationale for advice, etc.). In some embodiments, if table 342 istoo large to fit in window 340, or additional tables of advice arepresented (e.g., a table with advice for pair splitting, etc.), the usermay be able to scroll down to see the rest of table 342 or additionaltables of advice.

Window 350 may assist a user with card counting in blackjack game playand wagering. In some embodiments, window 350 may be integrated withdisplay 300, or may be a separate window or may be presented on aseparate display. Add/subtract button 352 may allow a user to increaseor decrease the occurrence of a card. In some embodiments, button 352may be placed adjacent to a card reference 354 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, Ace, etc.). Number of occurrences 356 may be adjacent to each cardreference 354 to indicate the number of times a card has appeared.Alternatively, with a voice-activated game and wagering assistantsystem, a user may indicate which cards have been played by speakinginto a microphone, or alternatively by using a directional microphone topick up the dealer's recitation of the played cards. Voice recognitionsoftware or hardware may interpret the speech received by themicrophone, and keep track of the cards played. If the game and wageringassistant determines that a user should take another card, the game andwagering assistant may vibrate, produce an audible noise (e.g., beep,etc.) or command (e.g., synthesized voice command), indicate theinformation on a display screen, or inform the user in any othersuitable manner.

Window 360 may present odds, probability, or statistical information tothe user for blackjack. For example, information such as initial casinoedge percentage (e.g., a casino may have a 5.75% advantage forblackjack), correct hitting/standing percentage, correct doublingpercentage, correct pair splitting percentage, or any other suitableinformation, may be presented.

Similarly, window 370 may summarize game play information, includingnumber of hands played, wins, losses, or other suitable information.Additional information button 372 may be selected by a user in order toview summary information for each game. For example, if additionalinformation button 372 is selected, display 500 of FIG. 5 may bepresented to show wins, losses, wagers, cards, graphs of winnings orlosses for each hand, a chart of cards played, or any other suitableinformation for each blackjack hand played.

Window 370 of FIG. 3 may also indicate the rate at which a user islosing money on wagers. For example, a user may monitor how quickly theyare approaching a predetermined amount of money allocated for wageringon games or events (i.e., a user may monitor their “burn rate” onwagers).

Interactive blackjack display 300 of FIG. 3 may include “comps” window380, which may assist a user in optimizing the complimentary goods orservices received from a casino. Typically, casinos may determine howmuch a player's “action” is worth. Action may be the amount of moneyrisked over a period of time (e.g., 100 hands×$10 per hand×3hours=$3000). Casinos may calculate the amount of a player's action theyexpect to win by multiplying the level of action for a player by thecasino advantage for a game. This calculation may also be used by theplayer to determine the amount of losses a player may sustain.

Casinos may give players comps worth a certain percentage of theplayer's losses (e.g., 20%). A blackjack player may use the informationpresented in window 380 in order to get more in comps (than correspondto the losses sustained by the player at blackjack or correspond to thetypical sustained). A casino may earmark a certain loss for a player,and may give a comp to the player which is worth a certain percentage ofthat loss. By using the game play strategy information in display 300,the player may minimize their losses, reduce the casino's advantage, andmaximize comps.

In some embodiments, window 380 may provide information which may allowa user to perform valuation of comps offered by a casino. A user mayselect a particular comp to compare actual losses, or estimated, tocomps. Alternatively, window 380 may present valuation analysis for aseries of comps offered. Thus, a user may determine to what extent acomp may make up for losses sustained.

Comp valuation information may allow a user to make an informed decisionif a user is presented with a choice of comps. Also, if comps areoffered to entice a player to come to a casino to play blackjack orother casino games, a user may be able to determine to what extentpotential losses may be offset by comps from a casino.

Turning to FIG. 6, interactive roulette display 600 may provideinformation and game play advice relating to roulette play. Display 600may have a side menu and toolbar with a similar appearance andfunctionality to menu bar 302 and toolbar 330 in system 300 (FIG. 3).However, selectable options in the menu bar, such as game rules, basicstrategy, maximizing comps, play-by-play advice, or compare mathematicalwagering progressions may present displays of information related toroulette.

Game selector area 602 may allow a user to select the number of pocketsfor the roulette game. Option 604 may allow a user to select a game with38 pockets (includes zero (0) and double zero (00)), while selectingoption 606 may allow a user to view information for a 37 pocket game(French style). In some embodiments, selection of option 604 or option606 may alter roulette betting area 610. Alternatively, a user mayprovide voice commands to the game and wagering assistant regarding thenumber of pockets for the roulette game using a microphone, and the gameand wagering assistant may process these commands. The game and wageringassistant may provide advice on wagering (i.e., what amount of money)and which numbers or color to wager on in roulette. This information maybe provided on a screen of the game and wagering assistant, or may beprovided by synthesized voice played on a speaker, a set of headphones,or an earphone.

Betting area 610 may include outside betting area 612 and inside bettingarea 614. Outside betting area 612 may allow for betting on red, black,odd, even, numbers 1-18, numbers 19-36, the first 12 numbers, the second12 numbers, the third 12 numbers, or any suitable combination thereof.Inside area 614 may include numbers 1-36, 2-to-1 areas, or any othersuitable areas.

Chip area 616 may allow a user to select a betting chip (e.g., $1, $5,$10, $20, etc.) and drag it to betting area 610 to represent a wager.Alternatively, wagers may be placed in betting area 610 by voicecommands by the user into a microphone of the game and wageringassistant device or with any other suitable method. In some embodiments,a user may change the value of the chips or add new chips with newvalues.

Table minimum button 620 may allow a user to increase or decrease thetable minimum according to the rules of the game. In some embodiments,display 600 may present information to the user whether their wageringis correct based on the table minimum and game rules (e.g., rules forplacing wagers in outside betting area 612 or inside betting area 614).For example, inside bets typically need to add up to the table minimum,while outside bets have to each meet the table minimum. A message may bepresented on screen 600 or may be given in an audible message (e.g.,synthesized voice from a speaker, earphone, or headphones connected toor part of the game and wagering assistant) by the game and wageringassistant if inside or outside wagers are incorrectly made based on thetable minimum set by the user or the game rules.

Enter results area 630 may allow a user to input data based on theresults from casino table play, electronic roulette game play, on-lineroulette play, or any other suitable game play. A user may use redoption 632 or black option 634 to indicate color, and may use pull downmenu 636 to indicate the number (e.g., numbers 1-36, etc.).Alternatively, with a game and wagering assistant equipped with amicrophone and voice recognition capabilities, a user may give a voicecommand to select red or black options, or a number from 1-36. In someembodiments, the user may select submit button 638 in order to store thewagering information and the user's result based on the outcome and thewager made.

Statistical information regarding the user's wagering and win/lossrecord may be viewed by selecting performance button 640. For example,selecting button 640 may present performance statistics display 700,illustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, information regarding therate at which a user is losing money may be indicated such that the userknows how quickly, for example, he or she is losing the total amount ofmoney that they have allocated for wagers on a casino game or series ofgames. Thus, a user may set a total amount of money that they areprepared to spend on wagers, and this feature.

As shown, display 700 of FIG. 7 may have information for each roulettegame played, including wager amounts and minimum wager information foroutside bets, 2-to-1 wagers, inside bets, or any other suitableinformation. Display 700 may also present the characteristics of thewager made for each game (e.g., red, black, even, odd, 1-18, 19-36,first 12 numbers, second 12 numbers, third twelve numbers, amountwon/lost, etc.). In some embodiments, display 700 may indicate whetherthe user was utilizing a mathematical progression for wagering for aparticular game (e.g., Fibonacci, d'Alembert, etc.). There may be anadvantage of using mathematical progression for wagering in order tooptimize wagering for particular game play decisions to minimizemonetary losses, or control the rate at which money is lost.Furthermore, game play advice wagering analysis may be particularlyhelpful if a casino or other game provider alters the odds of winning.For example, a casino or other game provider may announce that number11, 17 and 33 will pay 40-1 odds instead of the standard 35-1. The gameand wagering assistant may advise a user on game play and wagering withthese revised odds.

Turning to FIG. 8, interactive poker display 800 may be viewed when auser selects poker button 240 from main menu 200 or when the userselects poker game option from the menu bar in the displays illustratedin FIGS. 3-10. Alternatively, a user may use a voice command into amicrophone connected to the game and wagering assistant to invoke thepoker game option.

Display 800 may have a menu bar similar to menu bar 302 and a toolbar802 similar to toolbar 330 of display 300 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments,the toolbar may include a button to activate displays for poker gamestatistics (e.g., number of wins, wagers made for each play, amount ofwagers made by other players, amount of money or comps won, etc.).

Game type menu 802 may be selected by a user to select the version ofpoker, particular play options, or any other suitable options. Menu 802may include Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud poker game options, as well as ahigh/low option or any other suitable option. In some embodiments, theselection of the game type may affect the advice given if the userselects the play-by-play advice option in the menu bar.

Window 810 may contain information related to the user's cards for apoker game. Action menu 812 may be a menu that may allow a user toselect from options to add a card, remove a card, play a card, or anyother suitable option. Upon selecting an action, the user may nextselect a card from card type menu 814 which may include a list of cards(e.g., 2-10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, etc.). If the user selects updatebutton 816, user card list 818 may be updated to show the current cardsof the user's poker hand. Alternatively, a game and wagering assistantsystem with a microphone and with speech recognition capabilities mayreceive and process voice commands from a user or other person relatedto adding a card, removing a card, playing a card, the type of card, orperform any other function related to updating game play information. Insome embodiments, the card information for the user and other playersmay be automatically updated as game play occurs where the poker game isa computer game or on-line game. Game play information may becommunicated between the poker game software or hardware and the gameand wagering assistant system. In some embodiments, the game andwagering assistant may provide audible instructions (e.g., synthesizedvoice commands to the user) as to what cards to play or what amount towager.

Wager menu 820 may allow a user to select a wager value (e.g., $5, $10,$20, etc.). Limit menu 822 may allow a user to select a table limit forthe poker game (e.g., no limit, $20, etc.). If the user selects updatebutton 824, the wager or limit information displayed in window 810 maybe updated.

Cards-played window 830 of display 800 may allow a user to track a pokergame and input information to allow interactive poker display 800 toprovide advice on game play. Action menu 832 may allow a user to selectcommunity cards available, cards played, or any other suitable option.Card type menu 834 may allow a user to select the card value (e.g.,2-10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace) after selecting the action involving theaction. Alternatively, the card type may be selected before the actionfrom menu 832. Selecting button 836 may update list of cards played 838or community cards available list 840. Alternatively, a game andwagering assistant system with a microphone and voice recognitioncapabilities may receive voice commands from a user to indicatecommunity cards available, cards played, card type, or any othersuitable information to update game play tracking in the game andwagering assistant. Again, as mentioned above, a game and wageringassistant may provide advice to a user as to what cards to play andwagering amounts with a synthesized voice or on a screen. In someembodiments, cards available and cards played information may beautomatically updated between the game and wagering assistant and theelectronic, computer, or on-line poker game.

Add player button 850 may allow a user to enter information about otherplayers of the game. Player information may be displayed in area 852.Define wager button 854 may allow a user to define wager informationrelated to the list of players displayed in area 852. Wager informationmay be displayed in area 865.

Turning to FIG. 9, craps display 900 may provide a user with informationto assist them with playing and wagering in craps games. Similar todisplays for other casino games discussed above (e.g., blackjack display300 of FIG. 3, roulette display 600 of FIG. 6, etc.), display 900 mayinclude a menu bar and a toolbar.

Window 910 of display 900 may include number area 912, combinations area914, number of combinations 916, or any other suitable information. Area912 may include the number achieved upon a roll of two dice (e.g.,2-12). Area 914 may list the combinations of numbers that may make up anumber in area 912. For example, the number 7 may be achieved bycombinations of 6+1, 1+6, 5+2, 2+5, 4+3, and 3+4. Area 916 may list thenumber of combination for a particular number. For example, the number 7may have 6 different combinations (6+1, 1+6, 5+2, 2+5, 4+3, and 3+4).

Window 920 of display 900 may provide tools to allow a user to enterwagering information. Button 922 may allow a user to enter the amountwagered for a particular roll of the dice. Menu 924 may allow a user toselect the number that the user may bet on (e.g., 2,-12, pass line,etc.) with the entered wager amount (e.g., amount entered with button922). Roll menu 926 may allow the user to enter what the result of theroll was (e.g., 7, 11, craps (2, 3, 12), point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9), etc.).Submit button 928 may allow the wagering information and game playstatistics to be stored, for example, in a computing device.Alternatively, entering wager information may be done by voice commandsmade by a user into a microphone connected to a game and wageringassistant system. In some embodiments, a user may receive audible advicefrom the game and wagering assistant device on which combinations towager on and the wagering amount.

The user may view the statistical information related to game play byselecting button 930, giving a voice command into a microphone connectedto the game and wagering assistant system, or by any other suitablemethod. In some embodiments, selection of button 930 may present aseparate display screen to the user which may include, for example,number of rolls, results of each roll, the amount wagered, what numberswagers were placed on, or any other suitable information.

Interactive slots display 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 may assist a userin wagering and game play with various slot machines. The user mayselect the type of slot machine using number of reels menu 1010. Theuser may select a three reel, a five reel, or any other suitable numberreel slot machine using menu 1010, a voice command into a microphoneconnected to the game and wagering assistant, or any other suitablemethod.

In some embodiments, the user may indicate whether they are performingslot testing using menu 1020. When the user selects the slot testingmode, a user may wish to gather information on the payoff rate of a slot(e.g., gather a sample set of information regarding the behavior of aslot machine game). The information obtained during slot testing may bestored by a game and wagering assistant system or server and used tooffer advice regarding slot play and wagering.

A user may enter information relating to the slot schedule for aparticular machine using denomination button 1030 and win amount button1032. Buttons 1030 and 1032 may allow a user to enter the postedinformation regarding denominations and win amount for a slot machine orgame. Alternatively, voice commands may be given by the user into amicrophone connected to a game and wagering assistant device with voicerecognition capabilities for entering information regardingdenominations and win amounts.

Buttons 1040, 1042, and 1044 may be used to select one coin, two coin,or three coin slot options, or any other suitable coin number. Buttons1046, 1048 and 1050 may respectively be used to enter the monetarypayout based on the number of coins entered. Alternatively, voicecommands may be used to select these features.

The payoff percentage rate may be indicated at area 1060 of displayscreen 1000. The payoff percentage rate may, for example, be based oninformation posed on the slot machine, from slot testing, previous pullsof the slots, or any other suitable information. In some embodiments,the user may select graph button 1062 to view a graph of the payoffs foreach pull of the slots.

Menu 270 may allow a user to select bonus multiplier factors. Menu 270may include multi-jackpot, triple double diamond, five times pay,cherries 'R wild, triple red white and blue, or any other suitable menuoptions. In some embodiments, if one menu item is selected, another menumay be accessed to identify the bonus type (e.g., bonus credit, scatterpay, free spin, etc.). Selection of submit button 1090 may allow theentered slot machine information to be retained by a user computingdevice (e.g., user computing device 110 illustrated in FIG. 100). Insome embodiments, the game and wagering assistant may give audibleadvice on whether to continue playing a slot machine given the payoutsample data, or advice on increasing or decreasing the amount of thewager.

Turning to FIG. 11, interactive baccarat display 1100 may assist a userin wagering and game play with baccarat. Display 1100 may have a sidemenu with similar appearance and functionality to menu bar 302 indisplay 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. However, selectable options in themenu bar such as game rules, basic strategy, maximizing comps, orcompare mathematical wagering progressions may present displays ofinformation related to baccarat.

Baccarat table 1102 shown in FIG. 11 may have the same layout as astandard baccarat table. Wagers may be placed for the banker handwinning, the player hand winning, or for a tie. There may be sevennumbered positions on each side of baccarat table 1102. The numbers mayrun from one to fifteen, excluding the number thirteen. Each positionmay have three betting areas associated with it that correspond tobanker, player, and tie.

Alternatively, baccarat table 1102 of display 1100 may be amini-baccarat table, wherein the table is essentially one end of thestandard baccarat table. Just like the standard baccarat table, themini-baccarat table may have seven areas around the outer edge of thetable, each with three spots for betting.

Select card window 1104 allows a user to select cards and place themonto baccarat table 1102 to represent the game being played.Alternatively, a user may enter card information with voice commandsinto a microphone coupled to the game and wagering assistant system,wherein the system will process the information. Wager amount window1106 may allow a user to enter a wager amount. Place wager window 1108may allow a user to select what the user is betting on (e.g., thebanker, the player, or a tie).

Card count window 1110 may assist a user with card counting in baccaratgame play and wagering. In some embodiments, window 1110 may beintegrated with display 1100, or may be a separate window or may bepresented on a separate display. Card count window 1110 may be appearand function similarly to window 350 of FIG. 3 for counting cards.

Statistics window 1120 may provide statistical information on wins,losses, wagers, or any other suitable information. Wagers on bankerwindow 1130 may display information related to the number of wins andlosses by the user, as well as the amount of money won or lost on wagersor any other suitable information. Wagers on banker window 1120 may alsoindicate the number of naturals (e.g., if the first two cards total nineor eight, the hand is referred to as a natural). Also, wagers on bankerwindow 1130 may display the amount of money taken by the 5% commissionfee (generally, if one places wagers on the banker and wins, a 5%commission fee is assessed). Wagers on player window 1140 and wagers onties window 1150 may display similar information to wagers on bankerwindow 1130.

Interactive chess display 1200 of FIG. 12 may assist a user in wageringand game play with chess. Display 1200 may be accessed from main menudisplay 200 by a user selecting chess button 282 from selectable othergames list 280. Display 1200 may have a side menu bar 1202. Similarly tomenu bar 302, menu bar 1202 may have categories such as games andoptions. Selectable game menu items may include chess button 1204,backgammon 1206, or any other suitable game. Buttons 1208-1214 may beselected by a user to display game rules, basic strategy, play-by-playadvice, wagering advice, or any other suitable information.

A user may select game rules button 1208 in order to display informationrelating to the rules of chess. Such information may include, forexample, descriptions of the rules relating to the movement of the pawn,rook, knight, bishop, queen, and king pieces. Basic strategy button 1210may be selected in order to display information related to basicstrategies and plays. In some embodiments, such information may begeared towards beginning or intermediate chess players.

Play-by-play advice button 1212 may be selected by a user for advice onhow to play a particular move, as well as set a strategy for futuremoves. The game and wagering assistant system may store a database ofdifferent plays and strategies, select the most appropriate strategy fora player given the positioning of pieces on the board, and display thestrategy to the user on display 1200. Selection of wagering advicebutton 1214 by a user provides information on how much money a usershould wager on a particular game of chess. Factors that may determinehow much a user may be advised to wager may be based on the skill levelof the player, as well as the skill level and game history of the user'sopponent.

Clocks 1216 and 1218 may provide timekeeping for both the user and theuser's opponent for a chess game. Wagering window 1220 may allow a userto select an amount of money to wager on the chess game. Again, asdiscussed above, a user may select wagering advice button 1214 from menubar 1202 in order to receive advice on what amount should be wagered.

Chess board 1230 may display each player's game pieces (pawns, rooks,knights, bishops, queens, kings). A user may utilize a touch screen,keyboard, microphone, or any other suitable input device in order tomove the game pieces on chess board 1230 of display 1200.

Statistics window 1240 may display information related to the number ofgame wins, losses, the amount of money wagered on each game, the amountof money won or lost from wagering on each game or for all games played,strategies or moves used during each game, or any other suitableinformation.

Turning to FIG. 13, interactive backgammon display 1300 may provideinformation, as well as game play and wagering advice, relating tobackgammon. Display 1300 may have a side menu with similar appearanceand functionality to side menu 1202. The selectable options in the sidemenu of display 1300 such as game rules, basic strategy, play-by-playadvice, and wagering advice may present respective displays relating tobackgammon.

Backgammon board 1310 may be representative of a traditional backgammonboard, with a home board and outer board separated by a bar. Backgammonboard may have 24 triangles (“points”) in alternating colors. The barseparating the home and outer boards may hold checkers that are out ofplay until they may enter the opponent's inner board.

Doubling cube 1320 allows a user to select the value of the cube. Theuser may select from numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. The cube may beused to keep track of the number of points or units at stake in thegame. Typically, at the start of a game, doubling cube 1320 may indicatethe number 64, which indicates that the game is being played for onepoint or unit. If a player feels that they have an advantage during thecourse of the game, they may choose to double the stakes of the game bychanging the value of the cube to the number 2. The opponent of theplayer desiring to double the stakes of the game may choose to declinethe double, or they may choose to accept the double.

Rules selection area 1330 allows a user to indicate whether thebackgammon game is to be played an wagered on under the “Jacoby Rule”,the “Crawford Rule”, or any other suitable rule. Jacoby Rule button 1332allow a user to indicate that the game to be wagered on will be playedunder the Jacoby Rule. The Jacoby rule states that the game must bedoubled for a gammon or backgammon to count. If the game is not doubled,it counts as a single game. A gammon (double game) is achieved when aplayer bears off all 15 of his or her men before the opponent has borneoff a single man. If one bears off all 15 of one's men before anopponent has borne off a single man, and the opponent still has one ormore men in one's home board or on the bar, backgammon (triple game) isachieved. Generally, the Jacoby rule leads to faster play and allows aplayer to get out of a game that the player will not win. It may alsomake for a game with quicker doubles and higher stakes. Selection ofCrawford Rule button 1334 by the user may indicate that the trailingplayer may not double for one whole game once the leader is one pointaway from winning the match. Since the trailer has nothing to lose bydoubling every game, it gives the leader one undoubled game to try andfinish the match.

Wagering window 1340 may allow a user to track wagers on a backgammongame. Prior to placing wagers, a user may select the wagering advicebutton located in the side menu to receive advice and options onwagering on backgammon games. Prime wagering window 1342 may allow auser to select or enter a wager for each prime reached. Several pointsin a row is called a prime. In some embodiments, wagering window 1342may allow the user to select the number of points in a row that wouldresult in a prime. Full prime window 1344 may allow a user to select orenter a wager for each full prime reached. Six points in a row isconsidered a full prime.

Point window 1346 in wagering window 1340 may allow a user to place awager for each point achieved. A player may achieve a point bypositioning two or more men on a point (triangle). The player then“owns” the point, and the opponent can neither rest on that point nortouch down on it when taking the combined total of his die roll with oneman.

Game window 1350 may allow a user to indicate a wager for a single game.A backgammon game is won when either player bears off all of their menfirst. If the losing player has borne off at least one checker, theplayer wins the number of points or units at stake determined by cubewindow 1320. Gammon window 1358 may allow a user to indicate a wager forgammon (double game). A gammon occurs if the losing player has not borneoff any of their checkers. The player wins twice the amount indicated bycube window 1320. Similarly, backgammon window 1352 may allow a user toselect a wager for backgammon (triple game). A backgammon occurs whenthe winner bears off all of their checkers before their opponent is ableto bear off any and still has checkers in their opponent's home board oron the bar. The winner would get three times the amount indicated incube window 1352.

Statistics window 1360 may provide information to the user regardingeach backgammon game the user has played. The information displayed instatistics window 1360 may include the amount of money wagered in eachgame and the amount of money won or lost in each game, as well as theamount of money won or lost on points, primes, full primes, gammon andbackgammon.

Interactive horse racing display 1400 of FIG. 14 may assist a user inwagering on horse racing events. Display 1400 may be accessed from mainmenu display 200 of FIG. 2 by a user selecting horse racing button 292from selectable wagering events list 290.

Display 1400 may have a side menu bar 1410. Side menu bar 1410 may havea selectable statistics on track and horses button 1412, which mayprovide a user with a display showing statistics and information on pastraces and horse performance in those races. Location of the track, trackconditions, distance of the race, horses involved in each race and theirplacing, wagering odds placed on the horses, or any other suitableinformation may be displayed.

A user may select general wagering advice button 1414 from side menu1410 in order to obtain advice on wagering on horse races. For example,when general wagering advice button 1414 is selected, a display maypresent such advice as: when betting straight, restrict bets to win andshow only; bet on horses with odds of 5-1 or greater to win and odds 5-1or less to place; avoid horses that have not raced in the past fourweek; or any other suitable general wagering advice.

Side menu 1410 may allow a user to select upcoming races button 1416that may display information on the horse races at tracks are coming up,or any other suitable information.

A user may select specific wagering advice button 1418 to obtain adviceon which horse or horses to bet on for a particular race. The game andwager advice system may take into account the past race history of thehorses, the specific track, the distance of the race, the odds onparticular horses, the level of risk and return desired by a user inmaking a wager, or any other suitable information. In some embodiments,the game and wager advice system may present advice on which specifichorse or horses to wager on, the type of wager to be made (win, place,show, daily double, exacta, trifecta, trifecta box, quinella, quinellabox, or any other suitable type), the amount to wager, or any othersuitable information. For a win wager, the horse wagered on must placefirst. For a place wager, the horse must finish first or second. A horsemust place first, second, or third for a show wager. For a daily double,a user must select the winning horse of the first and second half of adaily double. Horses selected for an exacta wager must finish first andsecond in that exact order. For a trifecta wager, the horses must finishfirst, second, and third in that exact order. For a quinella, the horsesselected must finish first and second in either order. A user may selectthree or more horses for a quinella box wager. A user will win if anytwo of the selections finishes first and second.

Side menu 1410 may also have a selectable monitor wagering button 1420.If a user selects monitor wagering button 1420, a user may be able toset a total amount that the user wishes to spend on wagers for horseracing, and monitor the rate at which the user loses on wagering.

Horse wagering information window 1430 may provide a variety ofinformation to a user regarding a particular race (or races). The dateof the race, the track where the race is being held, the distance of therace, the race number, or any other suitable information may beprovided. A listing of horses in the race to wager on may be provided,as well as the wagering odds (e.g., 2:1, 6:1, 8:1, 20:1, etc.) for eachhorse. In some embodiments, the list of horses may be arranged such thatthe horses presented at the top of the list have a consistent record andmeet a risk/return ratio specified by a user. For instance, a user maywish to select a horse with wagering odds of 6:1, since such a horsemight be less likely to win than other horses, but would offer a betterpayout that horses with odds of, for example, 2:1.

Wagering type window 1440 may allow a user to select one or morewagering types for horse racing wagering. As discussed above inconnection with specific wagering advice button 1418, wagering typewindow may include selectable types win, place, show, daily double,exacta, trifecta, trifecta box, quinella, quinella box, or any othersuitable types.

Wagering amount window 1450 may allow a user to select amounts forwagering corresponding to the types of wagers (e.g., win, place, show,daily double, exacta, trifecta, trifecta box, quinella, quinella box,etc.) selected by the user in wagering type window 1440.

Horses window 1460 may allow a user to select horses to correspond tothe types of wagers selected in wagering type window 1440, as well asthe respective amount for each wager selected in wagering amount window1450.

As shown by the foregoing, systems and methods for assisting game playand providing wagering advice are provided. It will be understood thatthe foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of the inventionand that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which islimited only by the claims that follow.

1-41. (canceled)
 42. A method comprising: receiving, by at least oneprocessor of at least one computer, from a user at least one game playcommand and a plurality of wagers during multiple game plays of at leastone game played via at least one gaming device comprising a mobilegaming device; determining, by the at least one processor, at least onecomplimentary good or service earned by a user based at least oninformation relating to the user playing the at least one game; causingto be simultaneously output to the user, by the at least one processorthe at least one complimentary good or service earned by the user and avalue of the at least one complimentary good or service earned by theuser.
 43. The method of claim 42, in which the act of causing to besimultaneously output to the user the at least one complimentary good orservice earned by the user and a value of the at least one complimentarygood or service earned by the user comprises causing to besimultaneously displayed to the user on a single display device, the atleast one complimentary good or service earned by the user and a valueof the at least one complimentary good or service earned by the user.44. The method of claim 43, in which the act of causing to be displayedon the single display device the at least one complimentary good orservice earned by the user and a value of the at least one complimentarygood or service earned by the user further comprises: causing to bedisplayed on the single display device the value of at least one of winsand losses sustained by the user over a plurality of games, and in whichthe single display device comprises a mobile gaming device.
 45. Themethod of claim 43, further comprising: determining based on theplurality of wagers an amount of money risked by the user over a periodof time; in which the act of determining the at least one complimentarygood or service earned by the user comprises determining the at leastone complimentary good or service based on the amount of money risked bythe user over the period of time.
 46. The method of claim 43, furthercomprising: displaying at the single display device a list comprising aplurality of games, each of the games selectable for initiating gameplay on the single display device; receiving a selection from a user ofat least one of the plurality of games, the at least one of theplurality of games comprising the at least one game; displaying on thesingle display device an interface screen associated with the selectedgame in response to the selection.
 47. The method of claim 43, furthercomprising: determining a value of at least one of wins and lossessustained by the user based at least on an outcome of each of theplurality of wagers; and causing to be displayed to the user on thesingle display device a value of at least one of wins and lossessustained by the user at the same time the at least one complimentarygood or service and value of the at least one complimentary good orservice are displayed to the user on the single display device.
 48. Themethod of claim 47, in which the act of causing to be output the valueof at least one of wins and losses comprises: causing to be displayed ona single display device the value of at least one of wins and lossessustained by the user over a period of time.
 49. The method of claim 43,further comprising: monitoring a rate at which the user is losing moneyby wagering; and displaying on the single display device the rate atwhich the user is losing money.
 50. The method of claim 43, furthercomprising receiving a plurality of wagers from the user and providingwagering advice for a later of the plurality of wagers based at least inpart on an outcome of an earlier of the plurality of wagers.
 51. Themethod of claim 50, wherein the wagering advice provided comprisesadvice to increase or decrease a wager.
 52. The method of claim 43,wherein the value of the at least one complimentary good or service isdisplayed as an amount of currency.
 53. The method of claim 43, whereinthe at least one complimentary good or service earned by the user isdetermined based on a percentage of the amount of money risked by theuser that a gaming provider expects to win.
 54. The method of claim 43,wherein a value of wins sustained by the user is displayed to the user,and wherein the value of wins is determined exclusive of any lossessustained by the user.
 55. The method of claim 54, wherein a value oflosses sustained by the user is displayed, and wherein the value oflosses is determined exclusive of any wins sustained by the user.
 56. Anapparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory inelectronic communication with the at least one processor that storesinstructions configured to, when executed by the at least one processor,direct the at least one processor to: receive from a user at least onegame play command and a plurality of wagers during multiple game playsof at least one game played via at least one gaming device comprising amobile gaming device; determine at least one complimentary good orservice earned by a user based at least on information relating to theuser playing the at least one game; cause to be simultaneously output tothe user the at least one complimentary good or service earned by theuser and a value of the at least one complimentary good or serviceearned by the user.
 57. The apparatus of claim 56, in which theinstructions are further configured to, when executed, further directthe at least one processor to: determine based on the plurality ofwagers an amount of money risked by the user over a period of time; inwhich the act of determining the at least one complimentary good orservice earned by the user comprises determining the at least onecomplimentary good or service based on the amount of money risked by theuser over the period of time.
 58. The apparatus of claim 56, in whichthe act of causing to be simultaneously output to the user the at leastone complimentary good or service earned by the user and a value of theat least one complimentary good or service earned by the user comprisescausing to be simultaneously displayed to the user on a single displaydevice, the at least one complimentary good or service earned by theuser and a value of the at least one complimentary good or serviceearned by the user, and in which the single display device comprises amobile gaming device.
 59. The apparatus of claim 58, in which the act ofcausing to be displayed on the single display device the at least onecomplimentary good or service earned by the user and a value of the atleast one complimentary good or service earned by the user furthercomprises: causing to be displayed on the single display device thevalue of at least one of wins and losses sustained by the user over aplurality of games.
 60. The apparatus of claim 58, in which theinstructions are further configured to, when executed, further directthe at least one processor to: display a list comprising a plurality ofgames, each of the games selectable for initiating game play on thesingle display device; receive a selection from a user of at least oneof the plurality of games, the at least one of the plurality of gamescomprising the at least one game; display an interface screen associatedwith the selected game in response to the selection.
 61. An apparatuscomprising: means for receiving from a user at least one game playcommand and a plurality of wagers during multiple game plays of at leastone game played via at least one gaming device comprising a mobilegaming device; means for determining at least one complimentary good orservice earned by a user based at least on information relating to theuser playing the at least one game; means for causing to besimultaneously output to the user the at least one complimentary good orservice earned by the user and a value of the at least one complimentarygood or service earned by the user.